Ukraine will transfer the ship seized for stopping in Crimea to its Navy

Sunday, February 25, 2018 2:00:14 PM

The Tanzanian ship Sky Moon , confiscated for illegally calling at the Crimean ports, will be transferred to the Naval Forces of Ukraine, as reported by the State Border Service of Ukraine with reference to the Deputy Military Prosecutor of the Southern region, Roman Mrochko.

The vessel Sky Moon was originally seized by the Ukrainian coast guard on November 30, 2016 near the port of Reni. Seven members of the crew of the Sky Moon were brought to justice under article 204-2 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences. Each of them was fined for 1,700 UAH ($63 USD).

In March 2017, the Malinovsky District Court of Odessa found the captain of the vessel Sky Moon guilty. The court decided to confiscate in favor of the state the smuggled property, namely the cargo of soda worth almost 18.5 million UAH or 687,000 USD, as well as the ship itself for being the vehicle that was used to commit the offense. This is the first time that Ukraine has seized a foreign ship calling at the Crimea.

Seaports located on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Yevpatoria, Kerch, Sevastopol, Feodosia and Yalta) are closed by the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine from April 30, 2017 Number 578-r "On Functioning of Maritime and River Transport" and according to the Order of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, dated June 16, 2014, Number 255 "On Closure of Sea Ports."

According to these legislative acts, vessels under foreign flags entering the closed seaports and terminals located on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea will be regarded as violating international law, as undermining the sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as violating the legislation of Ukraine, which entails the responsibility of ship owners, operators and ship captains and their criminal liability for such actions hence.